BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1924, Page 2

BRITISH & INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION.

SUCCEKo WELL .MAINTAINED. The all-round success ul the Exhibition now in progress here to mark the completion of the Arthur's Bass Tunnel, and to (ommemnratc the diamond jubilee of the Westland goldfield. in well maintained. Sal urda.v ‘aw another large attendance, that of the allerimon being good, and the evening excellent. The Exhibition Inis quite a vogue now and the daily arrivals are increasing in numbers. The suitable train nnaiigemeiils are re-nlting in good traffic for the railways, but on Saturday there was much complaint at the 1.4” (ireymout h-Hokitika train being delayed until Ij.lii) p.m.. This meant a serious delay for the Canterbury passengers, and proved a loss lo the r.xhihition authorities. hs only one performance could be given by ihe visiting Edgeware Quartette. The passengers for this end of the journey had much to complain of at the unexpected and ibdious delay at, Greymouth will* h might have been avoided under the circumstances. The Edgenare concert party fulfilled one concert engagement no Saturday night, commencing at ft. 11 o’clock, and for an linin' or more delighted a full lonise with a very pleasing programme. The harmony of the quartette was very pleasing, and the solo numbers very acceptable. The soloists each received encores, while the humorous items were received with marked delight. Altogether it was a most n<veptanle programme, and was a pleasing introduction for the party, which will make its final appearance to-night in two concerts. The programme this evening will lie an entire change from that of Saturday night, and the choice of numbers reads particularly attractive. The first concert will he at 8 o’clock, and the second at 9.15 o’clock. The company returns to Christchurch to-morrow. The visitors are greatly enjoying their stay, and are surprised at the general excellence , of the Exhibition, which exceeds altogether their expectations in size and general interest.

Alusie in the main annexe on Saturday was supplied during the afternoon a'nd evening by lionetti’s band, which will perform again at the same hours to-day and to-mor-row. On Saturday many country visitors were present, and business generally was very brisk, while the refreshment room was patronised largely. Of the coming features other than those announced previously, it may he mentioned that the Hokitika 0 roll ostral Society will jrivc a free concert tomorrow oil the hand stand, while in the Orpheus Theatre there will he a display of scenic pictures by Air Havelock Williams of Timaru. On Thursday night the Hokitika hand will render a special programme on the hand stand and a West Coasters reunion will he held. Following the visit of Derry’s Band, the Exhibition authorities are making arrangements for the appearance here of other talent from Christchurch including a Bright Hours Juvenile Party, and a duo of child wonders in the epter- ! tuinment line. The interest in the j Exhibition promises to Is* well maintained right up to dosing time. Fehrunry 2nd.

The Hon Minister of Alines arrives here to-morrow evening, and will represent the Govrnment at tha jubilee celebrations on Wednesday and [Tiursday. Hon A r " ' ■•■Wsnn will he the principal speaker at the public gathering at the race course at mid-day on Wednesday. .Subsequently the pioneers and visitors will he entertained at luncheon. A Coasters’ reunion picnic to Lake Afabinapua Cakes place on Thursday. The Avro aeroplane which i- here in connection with the Inhibition, despite the high wind on Saturday made several flights, and again yesterday under splendid conditions was operating in the air all the afternoon. The aerial jaunts have become very popular. and are being much enjoyed by those participating. Captain Buckley considers tin* locality verv safe to ff\ over, as there is good landing all along the sou beach which is adjacent to the route taken. As soon as the local passenger list is exhausted, Captain Buckley will take a trip south to see possible landing places, and make arrangements for petrol renewal etc. During this week some nprial

photographs will be taken of Hokitika and district. Several ladies have nowmade flights over the town, and without exception all have enjoyed the experience very greatly, and are ready to make the trip again, as also further flights afield. Seats may be hooked at the Exhibition for flights over the town and about the district, allowing ten minutes in the air for a charge of one guinea. The demand for season tickets is not exhausted yet, and they are still the handiest and cheapest way of “doing” the Exhibition. Visitors here tor any duration will find the season ticket a very useful passport, for the Exhibition may then he visited as often as they wish day or night. The lieefton District schools excursion will take place to Hokitika this year. An endeavour is being made to fix a date for next week.

The Greymouth Trades picnic takes plate to Lake Mahinapua on Wednesday of next week. It is understood the train will stop to set flown passengers at Hokitika who may be desirous of seeing the aeroplane which will bo making special flights that day over the Exhibition. Mr R. P. Hudson, M.P. for Motueka •will lx’ ;« visitor to the Exhibition next week. itrnving on I bursting . 17th. inst. Mrs 11. .1. Seddoti. of Wellington, who was a. visitor to the Exhibition on Saturday expressed pleasure and delight at the excellence of the display, remarking it was a very great: credit to all concerned, and should prove a splendid advertisement for the Coast as a whole. Airs Seddoii stated good reports were to be heard abroad of the Exhibition, but an inspection of the displav was a revelation, and exceeded expectations. Airs Seddon very kindly donated £5 towards the >ioners’ entertainment fund. To-morrow night at the Orpheps Theatre, Mr Havelock AVilliatns of Timartt. will give an illustrated leelure on the Sounds of South A\ estlainl, Otago Lakes and Nelson and the Boiler Gorge. Air Williams has a vorv flue series of slides and the entertainment should he worth seeing. There will ho no charge for admission. The Hokitika Orchestra will give a special programme on the hand stand to-morrow evening. The Combined Choir (Exhibition) and Orchestra will give a concert in the Orpheus Theatre to-morrow night week.

The Edgevv are Quartette party makes its final appearance at the Orpheus Theatre to-night, when two concerts will ho given. The programme to-night will he an entire change from that of Saturday evening, so that patrons will le given a wide range of musical numbers. ’I he company, by the way, is supported by a humorist, who gives interesting character sketches, which as was expected, is not the least interesting part of the enterainment. The party made such a splendid impression on Saturday night, that the two concerts to-night are sure to be packet!. Early attendance is necessary to secure seats.

The gas cooking demonstrations on Saturday were patronised as liberally as ever. Aliss Todhunter had a busy day. but obligingly met all the requests of her patrons. This week there will he demonstrations on Alonday. Wednesday anti Saturday afternoons, anti every night except Saturday. The programme for fit is week’s demonstrations was published on Saturday. WESTLAND AGRICCLTFRAL COURT. Tlie Westland Agricultural Court at the British and Intercolonial Exhibition is proving a very interesting feature of the Exhibition, and shows i i prominent form the trend of Westland’s future. Since the opening day. many additional exhibits have been received irhieh has necessitated reforming the general lay out of the Court. On entering this Court from fhe fernery, the visitor is tit once given a full view of the Agricultural production of the coast. The blending of tlm colours of butter labels as representing the dairy industry, the individual green sheaves of grasses, samples • f green pasture in boxes, the long green flax hushes in each corner with dressd fibre alongside, the bright yellow corn of the oat sheaves, and the yellow lustre of the wool display, witn enlargement photographs ol dairy and pastoral scenes, make the Court quite picturesque. A minute inspection will, at once show that the Court is full of information regarding the dairying and pastoral industries which all go to show that there N a bright future ahead of the Coast. On the left at the entrance a model of a West Coast dairy farm is the first attraction to meet the eye and ha-, been keenly inspected the whole period since opening day. being art attractive and novel exhibit. The next exhibit is a display of cheese Irom lh“ three tlieese factories, namely:—

Watarnn Co-op Dairy Co. 50 miles from nearest railhead (Ross) manufactures cheese, butter and whey blitter. Inter-Wanganui Co-op Dairy Co. llari Hari. .‘SO miles from nearest railhead (Ross) manufactures cheese and whey butter; Waiiaha Co-op Dairy Co. 15 miles from nearest railhead Ross) manufactures cheese am! whev butter.

On lifting the eve from the cheese display, one is at once met with the prominent cenotaph representative exhibit of the ten Coast flutter Factories. This exhibit is well got up and must have entailed much labour. The pillars of the cenotaph represent in pound pats .'labelled lor export' the butter from eaeli faeiory, and is hand ed at loot, centre and too by butter boxes, while the top in full cenotaph fashion is comprised of butter boxes allowing the export brands id each factory. With an electric light ill the centre the entire exhibit makes a wonderful display. Altogether tho whole Court is an excellent advertisement for, the pastoral possibilities on the West Coast.